[BN] the know

Where We Live: West Seneca

After meeting with potential candidates for this fall’s election, the town’s Democratic Party endorsed a longtime employee of National Fuel Gas for a four-year term on the Town Board. And the Republican Party decided not to endorse anyone.

William Hanley is the choice of the town’s Democratic Party Committee for the Town Board seat currently occupied by John M. Rusinski, a Democrat whom the committee endorsed two years ago. According to committee chairman Daniel McParlane, one of the reasons why the committee didn’t vote for Rusinski was that he voted against the supervisor’s budget, without putting forth an alternative.

A longtime employee of National Fuel Gas, Hanley is a former union steward who’s now serving in management. “The West Seneca Dems were very impressed with Hanley’s ideas, his ability to work with both management and organized labor, and his passion for the community,” McParlane said in a statement.

Democrats will be circulating nominating petitions this month, in advance of a Democratic primary on Sept. 10. Rusinski had won the party line in the 2011 primary for a two-year term on the board, besting three other hopefuls that included Hanley.

Both Hanley and Rusinski also appeared before the Republican Committee, which didn’t have a Republican candidate to consider. “It was the decision of the committee to make no endorsement for the seat,” said chairwoman Patricia DePasquale.

Also this week:

• A Father’s Day breakfast, sponsored by AMVETS Post 8113, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon today in Legion Post 735, 35 Legion Parkway. Admission is $8 for adults and $3.50 for children under 10.

• West Seneca Community Days, featuring music, rides and entertainment, begins at 6 p.m. Friday on the grounds of Town Hall, 1250 Union Road. Activities resume at noon Saturday.